Hi Guys,
I hope you're enjoying your Veterans Day. Here is the first installment of intel: Camp Cropper is a quiet little piece of heaven located on the Victory Base Complex (VBC) in Baghdad. It is our little gated community. It is located on the opposite side of BIAP (Baghdad International Airport) from Liberty and Victory.
We have lodging, DFAC (dining facility), gym, MWR (Moral, Welfare and Recreation Center), and work all within 3-5 minute walk depending on your pace. It is all within 150 meters of each other.
Your lodging will likely be in a barracks-type building. It is a fixed two-story with 50 rooms per level and indoor plumbing. Yeah, that is right! No running down the road to the Porta-Potties. It is just a short walk down the hallway. I consider this one of the greatest amenities here.
The DFAC is your typical one you would see anywhere. The food is fine for the first month or so and then everything begins to look and taste the same. I am really looking forward to home cooking. It is open most hours of the day but the main line is only open for a few hours each meal. The rest of the time the sandwich bar is open.
The gym is right next door so exercise all you like! There is plenty of time and afterwards you can refuel at the DFAC--just do not go in sweaty. It's against camp regulations. Be forewarned!
Lastly, the thing that is most like home is the dental clinic. Our clinic is a "three chair good time." All three chairs are in the same room which is about 35' by 25'. It feels rather packed when both dentists are working and moving around. We currently have three enlisted staff members--two junior enlisted and an NCO. They are good workers and have gone through growing pains but have been patient and try to accomodate us.
We are fortunate here that all our supplies are ordered through the 21st CSH (Combat Support Hospital) so we have never had problems getting what we want. We also push all our sterilization through the CSH.
I will try to send another installment in a few days but if you have any questions let me know. It can be anything related to the deployment--from CRC to Kuwait to here. It makes it easier to fill in the blanks.
Later,
Mike
Mike Bingham, CPT, DC
OIC, Camp Cropper, Iraq
